Party central movie

The screen portrayal of a cancer sufferer whose illegal import of foreign medicines into China spurred national policy changes has become a box-office smash as audiences flock to a rare Chinese film on a hot-button issue. "Dying to Survive" is based on Lu Yong, who was arrested in 2013 after illegally importing a generic cancer drug in a case that sparked public debate about high medical costs. It is being compared to "Dallas Buyers Club", the critically acclaimed 2013 U.S. film about smuggled HIV treatments, and praised as a breath of fresh air in China's heavily censored cinema landscape. The public debate eventually saw Lu's case dismissed and his experience is credited with prompting government steps to make cancer medicines more accessible and affordable. Starring popular comic actor and director Xu Zheng as a character modelled after Lu, the movie uses touches of black comedy to leaven the heavy subject matter and is on course to become one of China's highest-grossing films. … [Read more...] about China’s ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ is surprise box-office hit

In complete reversal, Trump revives summit with North Korean leader North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol talks with U.S. President Donald Trump as they walk out of the Oval Office after a meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - President Donald Trump, in a complete reversal, said on Friday he will hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore in the latest twist in the high-stakes diplomacy over eliminating Pyonyang’s nuclear arms program. Eight days after cancelling the unprecedented summit, citing Pyongyang’s “open hostility,” Trump welcomed North Korea’s former intelligence chief - currently under punitive U.S. sanctions - to the White House Oval Office, afterward exchanging smiles and handshakes, patting his arm in a friendly gesture. “Good meeting today. I think it’s a great start,” Trump said after conferring for about 90 minutes … [Read more...] about In complete reversal, Trump revives summit with North Korean leader

Vincom Retail Joint-Stock Company on April 28 held an opening ceremony to celebrate the opening of three Vincom Plaza shopping centres in three provinces. These are the first Vincom shopping centres to open in the central province of Thanh Hoa, and the southern provinces of Lam Dong and Long An. The three openings bring the total number of retail centres of Vincom nationwide to 49, continuing to confirm the position of the largest retail property management company in Viet Nam, with presence in 26 provinces. The panorama view of Vincom Plaza Thanh Hoa Shopping Centre is highlighted with modern architecture. — Photo Vincom Vincom Plaza Bao Loc in Lam Dong, Vincom Plaza in Thanh Hoa and Vincom Plaza Tan An in Long An display the full range of Vincom's national standards on architectural style, shopping spaces and amusement parks, promising to bring new experiences to people in these localities. Vincom Plaza Thanh Hoa, located in a complex of Vinpearl five-star hotels and … [Read more...] about Vincom opens three new malls in Thanh Hoa, Lam Dong and Long An

Viet Nam News HCM CITY – As many as 100 cultural experts, producers and directors are taking part in a seminar in HCM City today to seek ways to attract young audiences to cải lương (reformed opera). The seminar was organised by the Voice of Việt Nam, the Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association and their partners as part of the country’s programme to mark the 100th anniversary of cải lương. Nguyễn Thị Trúc Bạch, of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, said: “Today, young people have more interest in pop music, foreign music and action movies than in cải lương.” A survey on cải lương conducted by the institute in HCM City in 2014 showed that nearly 74 per cent of people liked listening to pop music, but only 6.1 per cent liked cải lương. More than 50 per cent enjoyed action movies, but only 4.3 per cent chose cải lương. … [Read more...] about Cải lương seeks ways to attract young audiences

China's gay community scored a victory after a massively popular social media platform reversed a ban on "homosexual" content, but challenges remain in a country where LGBT culture remains taboo in the entertainment industry. Gay-themed films struggle to make it into movie theaters, same-sex relationships are banned from television screens and gay content is forbidden on online streaming platforms. But the latest censorship move caused a public backlash that prompted Sina Weibo, a Twitter-like platform with 400 million active monthly users, to make a surprising about-face. The popular microblogging platform had abruptly announced last week that it was removing "illegal content" including "videos with pornographic implications, promoting violence or (related to) homosexuality." The move triggered an #IamGay campaign on the platform, with many calling for a boycott. Even the Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, posted an essay on Weibo promoting LGBT acceptance, though it … [Read more...] about #IamGay backlash a rare win for China’s LGBT community